Nonslip attachment for shoes



Oct. 3, 1939. A. SCHULMAN NONSLIP ATTACHMENT FOR SHOES Filed Jan. 3, 1939 I NVENTOE ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to non-slip attachments for shoes, and more particularly to a device for ready adjustment to the sole of a shoe having spikes or calks protruding from its 5 bottom so as to prevent the wearer from slipping when playing golf or engaged in other outdoor recreations, or when engaged in any occupation Where ones footing is precariously maintained.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide such a device which may be conveniently attached to a shoe when desired, and which may as readily be detached from the shoe and carried in a golf bag, tool box, glove compartment of an automobile, or the like.

15 Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which will accommodate itself for attachment to varying sizes and shapes of shoes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned which is sim- 20 ple in construction, strong and durable, and

comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description, wherein reference is made to the 25 accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention illustrating its application to the sole of a shoe; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the invention;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 30 of Fig. 2; and

Figure 44 is a sectional View taken on line -I4 of Fig. 2.

Referring to said drawing, the reference numeral I designates a plate, preferably made of 55 sheet metal, which has a contour substantially conforming to the shape of the sole of an ordinary shoe 2 and adapted to be applied to the bottom of the shoe sole. The under side, or bottom, of the plate I has attached thereto and protruding therefrom a plurality of spaced spikes 3 or other suitable calks.

The forward portion of the plate I is provided with means for releasably gripping the opposite edges of the shoe sole. The gripping means comprises two outwardly extending arms 4 whose inner extremities are pivotally received by a bolt 5. The bolt 5 is longitudinally slidable in a slot 6 provided in the plate I. As shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, the upper portion of the shank 0 of the bolt received within the slot 6 is provided with square shoulders I to prevent rotation of the bolt when tightening its nut 8.

Slots 9 are provided in the plate I adjacent the opposite edges of the forward end of said plate and are adapted to receive the arms 4. Said arms 4 project beyond the opposite edges of the plate I and their outer extremities are upwardly and inwardly turned to form sole clamps ID. The vertical wall of each clamp I0 is concavely curved so that the edge of the shoe sole will not 5 be gouged or otherwise mutilated by application of the device to the shoe. Adjustment of the clamps IE to fit the front of a shoe is affected by loosening the nut 8 and moving the bolt 5 longitudinally in itsslot 6 to increase or decrease 10 the distance between the two opposite clamps IE. The limits of adjustment of said clamps I0 and arms 4 are illustrated by the dotted line and full line positions irf Fig. 2 of the drawing. When the clamps II] are adjusted to conform to the width of the shoe sole at the points of contact, the nut 8 is tightened on its bolt 5 and this adjustment is retained so long as the plate I is to be worn on the same shoe.

Pivotally mounted on rivets I I on the rear of the plate are a pair of oppositely disposed bell crank arms I2; One of the angular arms of each bell crank I2 projects outwardly beyond the edges of the plate and terminates in a clamp I3,

the upturned end forming the clamp having a compound curvature adapted to grasp the shoe sole in the proximity of the instep of the shoe.

The other angular arm. of each of the bell cranks I2 has a depending lug I4 pivotally attached thereto and each lug I4 is bored and interiorly threaded to receive a reversely threaded screw I5 whose opposite ends are provided with square shoulders to receive an appropriate key (not shown) by means of which the screw I 5 may be rotated. A portion of the rear edge of the plate intermediate the bell cranks I2 is preferably struck upwardly to form a stop I6 for limiting the inward movement of the arms of the bell cranks I2.

In use, the arms 4, as hereinbefore described, are adjusted so as to adjust their clamps ID to the width of the sole of the forward part of the shoe 2 for attaching the forward portion of the plate I to the shoe sole. The rear portion of the plate is then pressed firmly against the shoe sole in the vicinity of the instep of the shoe, after which the screw I5 is rotated by the key. Manifestly, rotation of the reversely threaded screw serves to actuate the bell crank arms I2 in such a manner that the clamps I3 are moved toward each other into gripping relation with the shoe sole.

The clamps I3 are provided with a compound curvature for a dual purpose. First, to. prevent mutilation of the sole by gripping engagement by the clamps, and, second, the clamps l3 will,

'after first contacting the sole, follow the line of least resistance and follow rearwardly the inward curvature of the sole at the shoe instep. Thus, they will move rearwardly slightly before firmly gripping the sole. This initial rearward movement will, in turn, move the plate I slightly rearwardly and more firmly clamp the clamps l into engagement with the sole and rigidly retain the spikes plate on the shoe sole.

Obviously, the plate may be removed from the shoe when desired merely by rotating the thread IS in the opposite direction to release the shoe sole from the grasp of the clamps l3; The arms I and clamps In need not be disturbed.

What is claimed is- 1. In a non-slip attachment for a shoe, a calked plate adapted for attachment to thebottom of a shoe sole, a pair of outwardly extending arms having their inner ends pivotally mounted on a pivot received within a longitudinal slot provided in the forward portion "of said plate, said arms having their outer ends projecting beyond the opposite edges of the plate and being upwardly bent to form sole engaging clamps, the distance between said opposite clamps being variable by longitudinal movement of their pivot in its slot, and other clamping means provided on the rear of said plate for grasping the shoe sole rearwardly of the first mentioned clamps.

2. In a non-slip attachment for a shoe, a calked plate adapted for attachment to the bottom of a shoe sole, 2. pair of outwardly extending arms having their inner ends pivotally mounted on a pivot received within a longitudinal slot provided in the forward portion of said plate, said arms having their outer ends projecting beyond the opposite edges of the plate and terminating in sole engaging clamps whose vertical sole engaging walls are concavely shaped, the distance between said opposite clamps being adjustable by longitudinal movement of their pivot in its slot, and other clamping means provided on the rear of said plate for grasping the shoe sole rearwardly of the first mentioned clamps.

3. In a non-slip attachment for a shoe, a calked plate adapted for attachment to the bottom 01' a shoe sole, a pair of outwardly extending arms received in slots provided in the plate and having their inner ends mounted on a pivot received within a longitudinal slot provided in the forward portion of said plate, said arms having their outer ends projecting beyond the opposite edges of the plate and being upwardly bent to form sole engaging clamps, the distance between said opposite clamps being adjustable by longitudinal movement of their pivot in its slot, and other clamping means provided on the rear of said plate for grasping the shoe sole rearwardly of the first mentioned clamps.

4. In a non-slip attachment for a shoe, a calked plate adapted forattachment to the bottom of a shoe sole, a pair of oppositely disposed and adjustable clamps carried by the forward portion of said plate for attaching that portion of the plate to a shoe sole, and a pair of bell crank arms pivotally connected to the rear portion of said plate, the outer extremity of one of the angular arms of each bellcrank being upwardly bent to form a sole engaging clamp and the other angular arm of each bell crank having a pivoted lug receiving a reversely threaded screw whereby rotation of said screw will actuate said bell crank arms and said sole engaging clamps.

5. In a non-slip attachment for a shoe, a calked plate adapted for attachment to the bottom of a shoe sole, a pair of oppositely disposed and adjustable clamps carried by the forward portion of said plate for attaching that portion of the plate to a shoe sole, and a pair of bell crank arms pivotally connected to the rear portion of said plate, the outer extremity of one of the angular arms of each bell crank being bent into a compound curve to form a sole engaging clamp and the other angular arm of each bell crank having a pivoted lug receiving a reversely threaded screw whereby rotation of said screw will actuate said bell crank arms and said sole engaging clamps.

ABRAHAM SCHU'LMAN. 

